August 27, 2014

Oregon

Any talk of national title contenders has to include Oregon, which returns 12 starters, including quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Ducks are coming off an 11-2 season, but lost two or their last four regular-season games after Mariota was hobbled because of a left knee injury. Mariota is good to go and tops many of the Heisman Trophy watch lists. Perhaps the best nonconference game is the Sept. 6 matchup between Oregon and Michigan State in Eugene.